Puglia

Puglia, also known as Apulia in English, is a region of southern Italy occupying the heel of the Italian peninsula. It faces the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south, and features two distinct peninsulas: Gargano in the northeast and Salento in the south. The regional capital is Bari, and the province structure includes Bari, Barletta‑Andria‑Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto.

The Tavoliere delle Puglie plain dominates much of its interior, while the coastlines offer a mix of sandy beaches, cliffs and historical ports. The region is known for towns such as Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, Gallipoli and Otranto, as well as the trulli houses of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Castel del Monte, a 13th‑century fortress near Andria, is another notable landmark. Lecce is famed for its Baroque architecture, produced with locally quarried limestone.

Economy is rooted in agriculture—olive oil, wine (notably Primitivo and Negroamaro), grain and vegetables—along with industry and growing tourism. Traditional cuisine features orecchiette pasta with cime di rapa, burrata cheese, grilled seafood and taralli.

Tourism is a major component of the economy, drawing visitors to historic cities, coastal resorts and archaeological sites. In total, Puglia has a population of about four million, and transportation hubs include Bari and Brindisi as international airports and ports.